Stake.uk to Cease Operations Following Commission Investigation
Consumers should be aware that Stake.uk will stop operating as a licensed website next month. This decision comes after a Gambling Commission investigation into a controversial social media video.
TGP Europe Announces Stake.uk Shutdown
TGP Europe Limited (TGP), which runs Stake.uk under a white-label agreement, has confirmed it will close the site.
The announcement follows a Gambling Commission inquiry into a widely circulated video featuring the Stake logo and an adult actress outside Nottingham Trent University.
After the video surfaced on X in December, several complaints reached Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
Concerns Over Advertising Practices
Campaigners, including Will Prochaska from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, voiced strong objections to the advert. Prochaska explained:
“We’ve submitted a complaint to the ASA about this gambling advert by Stake featuring pornographic actress Bonnie Blue. It clearly breaches rules to stop gambling being linked to seduction and appealing to young people.”
As a result, TGP will stop accepting new registrations on Stake.uk.com and remove redirection links from the main Stake website. The final shutdown is scheduled for March 11, 2025.
Gambling Commission’s Response
Ben Glass, Senior Communications Manager at the Gambling Commission, emphasized the regulatory concerns. He stated:
“The Commission will be writing to Everton – along with two other football clubs with unlicensed sponsors – warning of the risks of promoting unlawful gambling websites. The Commission will seek assurance from the clubs that they have carried out due diligence on their white label partners and that consumers in Great Britain cannot transact with the unlicensed sites.”
Additionally, the Commission will independently verify whether effective measures are in place. The letter will caution club officers that they could face prosecution, fines, imprisonment, or both if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses.
Glass further stressed:
“When an operator leaves the British gambling market we expect an orderly closure of its website to consumers in Great Britain and this includes providing consumers with clear information on how to obtain their funds. If a customer has questions concerning their account they should contact the operator via its website.”